ORANGE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY on Orlando Medical News

ORANGE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

By: MELANIE BOSCAN

2009 OCMS / FMA Legislative Agenda

The 2009 Legislative Session will begin Tuesday, March 3 and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 1, 2009. Now is the time to contact your legislators, request an appointment to meet, and discuss issues that are important to you and your patients. For a copy of the 2009 FMA/OCMS legislative agenda and contact information for the Orange County legislative delegation visit the legislative page at www.ocms.org or call 407-622-8188. Email, write, call, or schedule an appointment to meet your legislators today!

SpecialCare

SpecialCare of Central Florida, Inc. was founded in 1994 by the Orange County Medical Society and the Orange County government for the purpose of improving access to medical care for indigent adult residents in Orange County. The program seeks to encourage physicians to offer free specialty medical care to the underserved population. Today, more than 100 volunteer physicians provide donated specialty medical treatment and hospitalization to uninsured residents of Orange County. Volunteers receive sovereign immunity, can treat patients either in their private office or at the downtown medical clinic, and can choose their level of participation. Case management is provided through a coordination of services by a team of nurses and medical social workers. Physicians interested in volunteering for this worthy cause should call Lisa Meredith at 407-836-2519.

Medical License Renewal

Approximately half of Florida physicians' medical licenses will expire January 31, 2009. Physicians renewing their medical license this year will have to complete the Physician Workforce Survey, which is mandatory, whether renewing online or by paper. The Healthcare Practitioner Workforce Study will provide information that is essential to the Department of Health, organized medicine, and many other interested parties in their efforts to address the dire workforce issues in the State of Florida.

The Orange County Medical Society will host a CME Seminar on Saturday, January 24, at the FSU College of Medicine – Orlando Campus. Courses on domestic violence and prevention of medical errors will be offered for 2 hours of CME credit each. Special rates for OCMS members available. To register, visit the events page at www.ocms.org or call 407-622-8188.